THE WOODLANDS, Texas,, July 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX), received preliminary topline results from Sanofi for three Phase 3 trials of Zynquista™ (sotagliflozin) in adults living with type 2 diabetes from the InSynchrony clinical program. Lexicon has not yet received the underlying data, and expects to conduct its own review and validation and statistical analysis of the data when they are received.
The preliminary topline results received from Sanofi for the three studies are as follows:
- In SOTA-MET, Zynquista 400 mg demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in blood sugar control (A1C) compared to placebo at 26 weeks in patients on metformin.
- In SOTA-CKD3, Zynquista 400 mg showed a statistically significant reduction in A1C in the entire population of patients with moderate (stage 3) chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in the subpopulation of patients with a glomerular filtration rate of 45-<60 mL/min/1.73m2 (stage 3A CKD) compared to placebo at 26 weeks. Although Zynquista demonstrated numerical improvement on A1C, a statistically significant reduction in A1C was not achieved in the subpopulation of patients with a glomerular filtration rate of 30-<45 mL/min/1.73m2 (stage 3B CKD).
- In SOTA-CKD4, Zynquista 400 mg achieved a clinically meaningful effect but narrowly missed statistical significance on A1C reduction versus placebo in patients with severe (stage 4) CKD at 26 weeks.
Zynquista was well tolerated in all three studies.
The data from these studies is planned to be presented at upcoming medical conferences.
“We are pleased that today’s results support the potential benefits Zynquista may bring to adults living with type 2 diabetes, particularly for those living with chronic kidney disease,” said Pablo Lapuerta, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at Lexicon. “Although the SOTA-CKD4 study appears to have narrowly missed statistical significance on A1C, we are very encouraged by the overall results in that study and look forward to Phase 3 data from the remainder of the core studies from the InSynchrony program later this year.”
Separately, Sanofi has delivered to Lexicon a notice purporting to terminate the alliance. Lexicon has notified Sanofi that it considers the notice invalid and Sanofi to be in breach of contract. The collaboration and license agreement provides that, even if a valid termination of the alliance had been delivered, Sanofi has continuing contractual obligations to transition rights to sotagliflozin and continue to fund ongoing clinical trials for a contractually specified period of time following termination.
“While we are disappointed in the position taken by Sanofi, we are confident in the strength of the data we have seen thus far in the type 2 diabetes program and are optimistic about achieving continued success in the balance of the core Phase 3 program, which we expect will be completed in the coming months,” said Lonnel Coats, Lexicon’s president and chief executive officer. “In the event of a valid termination of the Sanofi alliance, we will also look forward to regaining full rights to Zynquista in type 1 diabetes in the United States, as well as rights in the remainder of the world, notably including the European Union, in which Zynquista has already received approval.”
Lexicon will be hosting a live conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 8:00 am EDT / 7:00 am CDT to review its financial and operating results and to provide a general business update. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-645-5785 (U.S./Canada) or 970-300-1531 (international). The conference ID for all callers is 5789855. The live webcast and replay may be accessed by visiting Lexicon’s website at www.lexpharma.com/investors. An archived version of the webcast will be available on the website for 14 days.
About the InSynchrony Type 2 Diabetes Phase 3 Clinical Trial Program
The InSynchrony program consists of 11 Phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Zynquista in adults with type 2 diabetes on various therapeutic backgrounds (i.e., diet and exercise alone, metformin, a sulfonylurea, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, or basal insulin). These trials include placebo and active comparators (i.e., glimepiride and empagliflozin) and also is evaluating patients with CKD, cardiovascular risk factors, and heart failure, as well as patients age 55 and older.
SOTA-MET, SOTA-CKD3 and SOTA-CKD4 are the first trials to report data from the program:
SOTA-MET is evaluating the efficacy and safety of Zynquista (400 mg once daily) in adults with type 2 diabetes with inadequate blood sugar control on metformin, compared to placebo.
SOTA-CKD3 and SOTA-CKD4 are evaluating the efficacy and safety of two doses of Zynquista (200 mg and 400 mg once daily) in adults with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe CKD with inadequate blood sugar control receiving standard of care treatment, compared to placebo.
About Zynquista™ (sotagliflozin)
Discovered using Lexicon’s unique approach to gene science, Zynquista is an oral dual inhibitor of two proteins responsible for glucose regulation known as sodium-glucose co-transporter types 1 and 2 (SGLT1 and SGLT2). SGLT1 is responsible for glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and SGLT2 is responsible for glucose reabsorption by the kidney. Zynquista is approved in the European Union (EU) for use as an adjunct to insulin therapy to improve blood sugar (glycemic) control in adults with type 1 diabetes with a body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m2, who could not achieve adequate glycemic control despite optimal insulin therapy. Outside of such approval, Zynquista is investigational and has not been approved by any other regulatory authority for type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Lexicon has granted Sanofi an exclusive worldwide (excluding Japan) license to develop, manufacture and commercialize Zynquista. Lexicon remains responsible for all clinical development activities relating to type 1 diabetes and Sanofi is responsible for all clinical development activities of Zynquista for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
About Lexicon Pharmaceuticals
Lexicon is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with a mission of pioneering medicines that transform patients’ lives. Through its Genome5000™ program, Lexicon scientists studied the role and function of nearly 5,000 genes and identified more than 100 protein targets with significant therapeutic potential in a range of diseases. Through the precise targeting of these proteins, Lexicon is pioneering the discovery and development of innovative medicines to safely and effectively treat disease. In addition to its first commercial product, XERMELO® (telotristat ethyl), Lexicon has a pipeline of promising drug candidates in clinical and preclinical development in diabetes and metabolism, oncology and neuropathic pain. For additional information, please visit www.lexpharma.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including statements relating to Lexicon’s long-term outlook on its business, including the clinical development of, the regulatory filings for, and the potential therapeutic and commercial potential of sotagliflozin. In addition, this press release also contains forward looking statements relating to Lexicon’s growth and future operating results, discovery, development and commercialization of products, strategic alliances and intellectual property, as well as other matters that are not historical facts or information. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s current assumptions and expectations and involve risks, uncertainties and other important factors, specifically including Lexicon’s ability to meet its capital requirements, successfully commercialize XERMELO, successfully conduct preclinical and clinical development and obtain necessary regulatory approvals of telotristat ethyl, sotagliflozin, LX2761, LX9211 and its other potential drug candidates on its anticipated timelines, achieve its operational objectives, obtain patent protection for its discoveries and establish strategic alliances, as well as additional factors relating to manufacturing, intellectual property rights, and the therapeutic or commercial value of its drug candidates. Any of these risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause Lexicon’s actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information identifying such important factors is contained under “Risk Factors” in Lexicon’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lexicon undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For Investor Inquiries :
Kimberly Lee, D.O. Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (281) 863-3383 klee@lexpharma.com
For Media Inquiries:
Chas Schultz Executive Director, Corporate Communications and Patient Advocacy Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (281) 863-3421 cschultz@lexpharma.com
